The world's largest farm was once in Alabama

Excerpt from the Toronto Sunday World News dated November 5, 1913:

WORLD’S LARGEST FARM IN ALABAMA 

 Just outside of Birmingham, Alabama there is a farm owned by Joseph Oswalt Thompson, which is said to be the largest in the world. It comprises 25,000 acres in the fertile “black belt.” 

If this farm were to be cut into city lots, says The New York Sun, there would be 400,000 of them, enough to build a city of 2,400,000 inhabitants, figuring six to each family.

Two hundred miles of wire encloses the farm. It takes the man who inspects the fence five days to ride around it on horseback. To properly care for the farm 1200 men are employed, who with their families, make a population larger than the average Alabama city. Two hundred and thirty plows are always in use.

All the farm is not under cultivation. Just now only 6000 acres are planted. In an ordinary season this area yields 2500 bales of cotton, 25,000 bushels of corn, 12,000 bushels of oats, 600 tons of hay, 500 tons of alfalfa and 13,000 gallons of syrup. Besides all this there on the farm 600 head of cattle and nearly as many hogs.

Mr. Thompson is called the king farmer of Alabama . There are cattlemen in the west and in other parts of the world who own more acres, but they are merely pasture and not farms.

Who was Mr. Joseph Oswalt Thompson?  Mr. Thompson was born on February 2, 1869 in Tuskegee, in Macon County, Alabama.  He was educated at Park's High School and the Alabama Military Institute.  

Below is a photo of the Thompson clan gathered on the front porch of their home.

Mr. Thompson was a farmer with large land holdings.  He specialized in cotton production and was the largest cotton planter in Alabama at one time. He was an organizer of the Alabama Land Congress, the cotton holding movement in 1915, and was vice-president of the American Cotton Association in 1926. 

Joseph O. Thompson was active in the Republican Party in Alabama, serving as chairman of the Republican committee of Macon County; chairman of the State Republican committee for Alabama; Republican nominee for Governor of Alabama in 1910; and Republican nominee for Congress from the Birmingham District in 1918. Thompson also held other important positions with federal agencies, such as Deputy U. S. Marshal, Deputy U. S. Collector, U. S. Commissioner, Postmaster at Tuskegee, Alabama, and Deputy U. S. Collector for Internal Revenue. 

Joseph Oswalt Thompson married Annie Magruder of Tuskegee, Alabama, daughter of William Reardon and Mary Ann (Perry) Magruder, on April 13, 1888; they had eight children. 

Joseph Oswalt Thompson died August 5, 1933 and is buried in Tuskegee Cemetery in Macon County, Alabama. 

The world's largest farm was once in Alabama

Excerpt from the Toronto Sunday World News dated November 5, 1913:

WORLD’S LARGEST FARM IN ALABAMA 

 Just outside of Birmingham, Alabama there is a farm owned by Joseph Oswalt Thompson, which is said to be the largest in the world. It comprises 25,000 acres in the fertile “black belt.” 

If this farm were to be cut into city lots, says The New York Sun, there would be 400,000 of them, enough to build a city of 2,400,000 inhabitants, figuring six to each family.

Two hundred miles of wire encloses the farm. It takes the man who inspects the fence five days to ride around it on horseback. To properly care for the farm 1200 men are employed, who with their families, make a population larger than the average Alabama city. Two hundred and thirty plows are always in use.

All the farm is not under cultivation. Just now only 6000 acres are planted. In an ordinary season this area yields 2500 bales of cotton, 25,000 bushels of corn, 12,000 bushels of oats, 600 tons of hay, 500 tons of alfalfa and 13,000 gallons of syrup. Besides all this there on the farm 600 head of cattle and nearly as many hogs.

Mr. Thompson is called the king farmer of Alabama . There are cattlemen in the west and in other parts of the world who own more acres, but they are merely pasture and not farms.

Who was Mr. Joseph Oswalt Thompson?  Mr. Thompson was born on February 2, 1869 in Tuskegee, in Macon County, Alabama.  He was educated at Park's High School and the Alabama Military Institute.  

Below is a photo of the Thompson clan gathered on the front porch of their home.

Mr. Thompson was a farmer with large land holdings.  He specialized in cotton production and was the largest cotton planter in Alabama at one time. He was an organizer of the Alabama Land Congress, the cotton holding movement in 1915, and was vice-president of the American Cotton Association in 1926. 

Joseph O. Thompson was active in the Republican Party in Alabama, serving as chairman of the Republican committee of Macon County; chairman of the State Republican committee for Alabama; Republican nominee for Governor of Alabama in 1910; and Republican nominee for Congress from the Birmingham District in 1918. Thompson also held other important positions with federal agencies, such as Deputy U. S. Marshal, Deputy U. S. Collector, U. S. Commissioner, Postmaster at Tuskegee, Alabama, and Deputy U. S. Collector for Internal Revenue. 

Joseph Oswalt Thompson married Annie Magruder of Tuskegee, Alabama, daughter of William Reardon and Mary Ann (Perry) Magruder, on April 13, 1888; they had eight children. 

Joseph Oswalt Thompson died August 5, 1933 and is buried in Tuskegee Cemetery in Macon County, Alabama. 

Summer's almost over....what to do?

Summer is creeping to a close and school is right around the corner.  With all the errands involved in getting the kids ready for school, there's not a huge amount of time left for a big vacation....so why not have a mini vacation?  Below are some great ideas for that mini vacation that the whole family will enjoy...and maybe even learn a few things at the same time.

The award winning Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is a must see for any visitor or resident.  Filled with historic photographs, articles and exhibits it will entertain and educate any age.  The artwork is world class and includes many outside exhibits as well as interior exhibits.

The Vulcan Statue and Park  is another must see.  Not only is the view from the park incredible, there is an onsite museum which educates you on the history of not only the Vulcan statue but the mines and the workers who tolled there.  There is also a nature walk that takes you past the old mines and along the edge of the mountain.  Great way to spend a day!

Sloss Furnaces is a great way to spend a hot afternoon.  Not only is it a free park, but it has picnic areas, water fountains, tons to explore and it also has a gift shop and museum.  Lots of room to throw a frisbee, read a book, or just enjoy the sounds of the birds and the fountains while the rest of the family is exploring the many trails that lead to and from the many exhibits.

McWane Science Center is truly a one of a kind experience that the whole family will love.  It never gets old to visit because the exhibits and events are constantly changing.  Lots of hands on exhibits for everyone to enjoy!

Being at the Birmingham Zoo is like being far out in the country....yet you aren't.  Once you enter the gates, it is as if you have left the rest of the world behind.  There is so much to see and experience...one day might not be enough!

These are just a few of the many wonderful places right here in Birmingham to take your entire family for a fun and educational outing.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!